MASTER OF THE HIGHLANDS

Author: Veronica Wolff ISBN: 9780425218990 2/2008 HISTORICAL/TIME TRAVEL Publisher: BERKLEY SENSATION
Time Period: Scotland 1654

SHE'S BACK IN TIME... Lily Hamlin has finally realized that her life isn't as perfect as she once thought. Lily hopes that making a pilgrimage to Scotland, a land she's only heard about in lullabies, will help her to find her place again. But while exploring the Highlands, she discovers an overgrown maze and a strange stone map—and lands in the Lochaber of 1654... ...JUST IN TIME FOR HIM. Ewen, Chief of the Clan Cameron, is a busy man who must figure out how to save his people from the brutal redcoats and has time for little else. Having sired an heir, the widowed Ewen has no need—or room—for another romance. Then into his life drops a saucy lass with a peculiar accent, no regard for his title—and an arousing body. Drawn to each other despite their differences, they both realize that they don't want Lily to go back to her own time. But with battles brewing between the Camerons, the redcoats, and a rival clan, staying is a gamble.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

I have to say with all honesty that I didn't know how well I was going to like Veronica Wolff's new book. The thing is, I have read gazillions of time travel books, and lately I am hard-pressed to find something new and exciting about them. But apparently, when I am wrong, I am really wrong, and so I can say with great pleasure that MASTER OF THE HIGHLANDS is a fantastic book! The lure of the Highlands, the love of these characters, the background and plot all combine to make this a top of the line romance.

Lily is a spectacular heroine. She is so believable, it could have been me or you tossed back in time 400 years. She is spunky, confident, and no wilting flower, either. She is not afraid to take on an entire garrison of 15th century Scotsman with only her two hands as a weapon! Through Lily's voice, I felt like I was actually experiencing historical Scotland. The raw, scratchy materials, the smells of the keep, the way she had to keep thinking her history out in her head to make sure she was getting it right—all of this combined to make one excellent character and a very interesting story. There is a part at the end of the book in which a poem that Lily has known all of her life comes to pass—and with it a portion of Lily's "history" lessons have come true. At this point in the book, I felt so tied to this beautiful heroine and this story that I felt as though I could have cried! I don't remember a time that I have ever gotten so engrossed in a book.

Ewen is the fictional world's most wonderful hero. He is strong and stubborn, but knows no end to his pride in this little spitfire who literally appeared in his life and took him and his entire household by storm. Lily certainly finds herself in a lot of scrapes, especially considering that with her modern ways, she is unaccustomed to the cruelty of the Highlands at this time. Never once did I fear that Ewen would not save his woman. He is just that kind of man. He is hotter than hot with the confidence of ten men, and there is no way in the world that he is going to let another man steal anything from him—especially Lily. He is so mystified by Lily and all that she is, he is unsure of what he is actually feeling for her until it is too late to stop it. And when he falls, goodness, does he fall hard. The chemistry between Ewen and Lily is enough to make a grown woman blush. They are absolutely fire hot, and every time one of them even smells the other, the sensual heat to the story cranks up so much that I felt like I needed an air conditioner!

MASTER OF THE HIGHLANDS is a delicious, sexy story that had me enchanted from start to finish. I don't know how Veronica Wolff did it, but hands down, this is one of the best books that I have read in years. She has brought back that joy and excitement that I felt the first time I ever read a time travel novel! Bravo, Ms. Wolf! May you have a long and rewarding career as an author.

Kristal Gorman